SF 545 
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yvioRi 



A Manual of Silk Culture 



CONTAINING 



^Complete Instructions for Beginners^! ! 



AS WELL AS 

Practical Directions for Managing a 
Cocoonery 

DESIGNED ESPECIALLY 

TO SIMPLIFY THE PRODUCTION OF SILK BY 

THE USE OF THE OSA GE ORANGE AS A FOOD PLANT IN 

LOCALITIES WHERE IT NATURALLY GROWS 

IN ABUNDANCE 



BY 



y 



MARY MATILDA DAVIDSON, 



$ 



I 



' 1 





Silk Worm Moth, Bombyx Mori, Linnaeus. (After Riley.) 
JUNCTION CITY, KANSAS: 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 

1882. 

PRICE, 25 CENTS. 



is 

! 

it 




H 



, I rise (on this occasion) to remark 
that The Junction City TRIBUNE 
is the liveliest and best Local Paper 
in the State of Kansas, and with its 
present large and increasing circula- 
tion is an A No. i Advertising 
Medium. It is the foremost Green- 
back Paper in the State. If you want 
your home news, together with a 
condensed and reliable account of 
American and Foreign happenings, 
Subscribe for the TRIBUNE. If 
you wish your friends in the eact to 
learn all about Kansas, Send them 
the Junction City TRIBUNE. If 
you want your city and adjoining country to prosper, 
support the TRIBUNE ; and when you are called upon 
to leave this world where peace and plenty abound, 
and wish to die happy, subscribe for the TRIBUNE, 
which is published every Thursday at the low rate of 
$1.00 a year, or will be sent on trial for three months for 
25 cents. Address JOHN DAVIS & SONS, 

Junction City, Kansas. 




John Louber, 



DEALER IN 

llOCIEIlS; 

FLOUR, ; 

FEED, 

COAL & 

COUNTRY PRODUCE. 

Opposite Park, 
JUNCTION CITY, KAN. 



CARPENTER KAGE 

Wholesale and Retail Dealers 

in and 

Growers of Choice 




-IHor 



We have four of the best 
varieties of 

MULBERRY. 

Send at once for a Price 
List. Address 

CAEPENTEE & GAGE, 
Bower, Jefferson Co., 
Nebraska. 



THE 



f 



M 



OyVlBYX /VIORI 

(linn^eus) 

A Manual of Silk Culture 

CONTAINING 



Complete Instructions for Beginners 



AS WELL AS 

Practical Directions for Managing a 
Cocoonery 

DESIGNED ESPECIALLY 

TO SIMPLIFY THE PRODUCTION OF SILK BY 

THE USE OF THE OSA GE ORANGE AS A FOOD PLANT IN 

LOCALITIES WHERE IT NATURALLY GROWS 

IN ABUNDANCE 



BY 



• 



MARY MATILDA DAVIDSON, 




;oeYKi<*/if 



«£r 3£ 



*>/£*'* 



Silk Worm Moth, Bombyx Mori, Linn.eus. (After Riley.) 
JUNCTION CITY, KANSAS: 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 

1882. 






♦w 






PRICE, 25 CENTS. 



SF5V5- 



Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by 

MARY MATILDA DAVIDSON, 

In the office of the- Librarian of Congress, at Washin^tciij D. C, 



Printed at the " TaiB'JNE " 13. ok and Job Printing Hon.se, Junction City, Kansas. 




OSAGE SILK WORM, LIFE SIZE. (After Riley. 



Introductory Remarks, 



■^■IN Kansas and other South-western 



tates, there are 
| thousands of miles of Osage orange hedge. To utilize 
?^t^j this wherever grown, as food for the silkworm, is the 

'/A object of this manual.* Prof. Riley, Entomologist of 
the Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. 0.,says : 

" Every year's experience with the Madura, [( )sage orange] 
confirms all that 1 have said of its value as silkworm food. 
Silk that I have had reeled from a race of worms fed on 
it, now for eleven consecutive years, is of the very best 
quality, while the tests made at the recent silk fair at Phila- 
delphia, showed that in some instances a less weight of 
cocoons spun by Madura fed worms, was required for a" ponrx I 
of reeled silk, than of cocoons from Mulberry fed worms. 



Those who use this plant as silkworm food, must, however, 
bear in mind that the shoots from a hedgerow become very 
vigorous and succulent by the time the worms are in the last 
age. These more milky and succulent terminal leaves 
should be thrown aside and not used, as they are apt to induce 
flaccidity and disease. In avoiding these more tender leaves 
and using only the older and firmer ones, especially when the 
worms are large, consists the whole secret of the successful 
rearing of silkworms on this plant, and if care be had in this 
respect, there will be no appreciable difference in the silk 
crop from ( )sage orange as compared with that from Mulberry/' 
Last year the Woman's Silk Culture Association, of Phila- 
delphia, had silk from Osage fed worms, sent to Itschner's silk 
^factory. It was returned to the ladies with the following 



4 BOMBYX MORI. 

letter: "We send you twenty yards of ribbon made from th& 
silk raised on Osage orange, handed to us during your late 
Exhibition. We see no difference in the die or weaving 
from other silk. ,, 

This spring the Association had an exhibition at Washing- 
ton, D.C, in which the fact was developed that some of their 
best grades of silk were made from the cocoons fed on the 
Osage. They report that it is tougher in fiber, with less gum, 
hence wears better. That silk so made is of the most durable- 
quality and most marketable, as is shown by the demands for 
exportation rapidly increasing; the demand being already 
greater than the supply. For those who have not the Osage 
and prefer to plant Mulberry, the Moras Alba and Morus 
Japonica, are the hardiest as well as the best varieties, and 
will grow anywhere in the United States. The instructions 
for feeding in this book, will answer equally as well for 
Mulberry, as the methods of feeding and care of the worms, 
are the same as when Osage is used, except that Mulberry 
leaves, being larger, are picked from the branches. 

Mr. L. S. Crozier, of the Mississippi Silk Company, a noted 
silk grower, says : "In case the leaves of the grown Mul- 
berry trees are exhausted before the silkw T orms have spun 
their cocoons, a well trimmed hedge of Osage orange will be- 
a blessing for American silk growers. But for it, all my 
silk worms would have starved this last spring, and my 
cocoons were as fine as if fed exclusively on Mulberry 
leaves." The greatest objection silkgrowers have had to the 
Osage Avas the added labor, and extra time consumed in 
picking the leaves, but when branches are fed this is entirely 
obviated. There has been abundant proof that the soil and 
'climatic conditions of Kansas are in every way well fitted 
for the successful cultivation of silk. 

M. de Boissiere, of Silkville, Kansas, says. "The silkworm 
thrives better in a dry, windy climate, and in this respect we 
liave the advantage over Europe; fewer worms die here even; 
when kept under a common shed, than in Europe, where 
they are raised in rooms kept at an even temperature by 
means of stoves ; the worms being more vigorous, average 
larger and heavier cocoons." Silk culture is not advocated 
as a very lucrative business, but as a home industry it adds 
largely to the wealth of the nations engaged in it. In 
France its methods and practice are taught in all the schools- 



INTROD UCTOR Y REMARKS. 5 

and in the convents. All classes have constantly impressed 
upon them through the public journals, its usefulness and 
importance. The raising of a few pounds of cocoons each 
year, need not materially interfere with other duties, and it 
is by each household raising a few pounds of cocoons that 
silk culture must, in the end, be carried on in this, as it has 
always been in other countries, Large rearing establish- 
ments seldom pay. 

There are 380 silk mills in the United States. Two-thirds 
of the raw silk which they use is imported, for which thirty- 
five million dollars are annually sent abroad. There is na 
reason why the entire demand of the mills should not be 
supplied by cocoons produced in this country. 

In compiling this manual, I am indebted for information 
and favors to M. de Boissiere, Senator Plumb, and others, 
and to Prof. C. V , Riley for permission to use his reports. 

THE PUBLISHER, 

September, 1882. Junction City, Kansas, 



THE UNITED STATES MAIL 




BRINGS A 

SEED STORE 

TO EVERY MAN'S DOOR. 

Ji is manifest that 
from Good Seeds only 

can Good Vegetables be obtained. 

The character of LANDRETHS' SEEDS has been sub- 
stantiated beyond oil question. They are the STANDARD 

for Quality. Over 1500 acres in Garden Seed Crops under 
our own cultivation. Ask your storekeeper for them in or- 
iginal sealed packages, or drop us a postal card for prices 
and catalogue. Address 

DAVID LANDRETH & SONS, 

21 and 23 S, Sixth Street, Philadelphia. 



BOMBYX MORI. 




Preparing the Cocoonery. 

§SiifiOR a small number of worms — say one thousand — but 
little preparation is required. Part of a small room, 
with tables or a few shelves, is all that will be needed. 
For more extensive feeding', a cocoonery should be 
fitted up. Any well ventilated room or outbuilding in which 
a stove can be placed will answer. If not new it must be 
cleaned and whitewashed. If a room is built for this 
purpose, let it rest upon posts, several inches from the 
ground, and put tar around each, to prevent the intrusion of 
insects. Mice should also be guarded against. It should 
have windows on opposite sides, to secure good ventilation, 
and both doors and windows protected by netting. A room 
eight by twelve feet will accommodate the product of one 
ounce of eggs — about thirty six thousand — by placing three 
rows of shelves around three sides of .the room. For from 
one hundred thousand to one hundred and twenty thousand 
worms, a room twenty by sixteen feet in area, and ten or 
eleven feet high, will be needed. Shelves should extend 
around the room, in rows two feet apart, leaving a space for 
entrance only. To economize room the center may also 
be fitted up with shelves. The wall shelves may be two 
feet and those in the center four feet dee}). This will leave 
a convenient space around the room to attend to the worms. 
To protect from ants, set the posts on which the shelves rest, 
in basins of water. Foul odors and the fumes of tobacco 
must be avoided. All wood used about a cocoonery should 
be well seasoned, as green wood is injurious to the 
worms. 



Conveniences for Feeding. 

(IfjfflT w ill ne found best to have a series of feeding frames 
j$i|l provided, for which are needed, laths, small tacks, and 
®§|f twine. Make the trays two feet wide and four feet 
%ja$?{ long. Cut the laths into the required lengths, and nail 
together edgeways. Set the tacks around the edge one- 
third of an inch apart, then wind the twine around each 



CONVENIENCES FOR FEEDING. 7 

tack, drawing it across the frame both ways, and secure bv 
driving in the tacks. This makes a square mesh. "When 
a large number of trays are made, it is better to have the 
mesh different sizes, using* the smallest first, and the larger 
as the worms increase in size. To do this set the tacks from 
one-fifth to one-half inch apart. A small nail with large 
head should be driven half its length into each corner, to 
raise the tray up from the shelf. This gives air, allows the 
excrement to fall through, and prevents the worms being 
crushed. One tray of this size, will hold at the first age, 
one thousand worms. Some prefer to dispense with trays, 
and feed on branches laid on the shelves. This process is 
not recommended as it involves much more labor and is not 
so cleanly. Those having used the trays find them a great 
convenience, saving both time and trouble. If preferred 
they may be smaller than the size given. 



Hatching the Eggs. 

|N this climate no special preparation is needed. The 
1 greatest difficulty is to keep the eggs from hatching 
too early. As soon as the leaves appear on the Osage 
— which is about the middle of April — brino-the seed 
(eggs) in the evening, into the room prepared for them. It 
is better that the room be not too warm at first, so that the 
change from cold to warm will be gradual. They will hatch 
at a temperature from sixty-five to eighty degrees. When 
the worms begin to appear, which will be in from one to 
two days, spread over them a piece of mosquito netting, on 
which lay a few branches or leaves, they will soon crawl up 
through the netting and the branches will be covered with 
little black worms almost too small to be seen by the naked 
eye. Those that hatch the first day, should be removed on 
the netting and placed in a tray, and marked as first hatch, 
with day of the month. Treat eacli day's hatch in the same 
way until the fourth day, after which it is thought the 
worms produced are not worth feeding, they are apt to be 
feeble and perhaps sickly. It is well to bear in mind that 
the eggs that hatch the soonest will produce the healthiest 
worms, and will make the largest and heaviest cocoons. 
The worms hatch in largest numbers from five to eight 
o'clock in the morning. 





S BOMBYX MORI. 

Feeding the Worms. 

tANY rules have been laid down as to the regularity 
of feeding, most writers advising four meals a day. 
Such definite rules are of little use, as much de- 
°^Q3 ft pends upon circumstances and conditions. The 
food should be renewed whenever the leaves have been 
devoured or become the least dry. The leaves will keep 
fresh longer if not picked from the branches. In this respect 
Osage orange lias the advantage of Mulberry, as its spines 
prevent too close settling, and allow free passage of air. 
When feeding, fill the trays with small leaf-covered twigs or 
branches, laid carefully over the worms. The worms eat 
more freely early in the morning and late at night. Healthy 
worms require but little rest, and will eat through the night. 
They eat greedily after each molt, and in the last stages, 
the quantity of leaves consumed is enormous. It is well 
in order to feed very early in the morning, to gather the 
leaves the evening previous, after sundown ; this is best also 
for fear of rain through the night, as wet or damp leaves- 
being very injurious, should never be fed. To keep leaves 
fresh, cut large branches and place the stems in water. In 
this sunny climate, we have so little dew in the spring, that 
leaves can usually be gathered in the early morning, being 
fresher then than at any other time. Should the season 
jDrove imusualh cold or damp, and no artificial heat is 
provided, the worms will lie in a dormant state and eat but 
little until the o-enial warmth revives them. In this case 
they will not mature so early and it will prolong* the work. 
Hence it has been recommended to have a stove in the 
cocoonery for use on cold or dam}) days. If the worms are 
well cared for, and kept in a warm, healthy condition, they 
will usually arrive at maturity in from twenty-five to thirty- 
five days. The period of spinning does not depend so much 
upon the age of the worm, as the quantity of food it has 
eaten. It is conceded by most silk raisers that the quicker 
the worm is brought to maturity, the larger the cocoon, the 
longer the thread, and the better the silk, 



CLEANING THE SHELVES AND TRAYS. 9 

Cleaning the Shelves and Trays. 

EFORE placing' the trays on the shelves, cover each 
shelf with paper, so that when cleaned the trays may 
^lil be lifted up, and the paper drawn out with all the 
G^gr litter which should be shaken oft' and the paper- 
replaced. This must be done every day. When necessary 
the trays must be changed to remove the old leaves and 
other refuse. While the worms are small, this is done by 
having pieces of white netting* the size of the trays, these 
may have strips of stiff paper or cardboard sewed around 
the edges so that in handling, the worms will not fall into 
the middle. Lay these over the trays and strew with fresh 
leaves. The worms will soon crawl through and commence 
feeding. Then take up the netting by the corners and place 
in a fresh tray. Shake the refuse from the tray and the 
netting the worms have left, and air for next days use. 
When the worms have outgrown the netting, use the trays 
only. If they do not leave the old food readily, they may 
be removed with a leaf, a straw, or a cameP.s hair brush. The 
frequency of changing the trays depends much upon the 
weather. If damp, the litter soon becomes offensive, and 
must be removed. It is not necessary to change the trays 
before the first molt. Alter this it should be done every 
two or three days, until the last two ages, when it is absolutely 
necessary that the worms be changed every day. The 
necessity of cleanliness cannot be too strongly impressed. 
If the trays should become foul, or the air of the room 
impure, sickness will be the result. Especial care should 
be taken in the last stages, as the worm is more liable to 
disease. at this time. 



Molting or Casting the Skin. 

pitoHE silkworms shed their skins four times, which are to 
(tm P| them periods of sickness. At these times they lose 
g^gj their appetite and appear drowsy, attach themselves 
^%$P to leaves or branches, and stand half erect, moving their 
heads from side to side. The new head first appears and 

^Perforated cardboard to be used instead of netting, also models of 
fi new arrangement for the worms to spin in, which will be found a 
great convenience, will be furnished by the publisher at moderate 
prices.. 



10 BOMBYX MORI. 

the old skin is gradually worked back until cast off. Tha 
first shedding takes place in this climate, three or four days 
after hatching. The time between each molt — termed ages 
—is usually from four to six days. If the worms are feeble 
the old skin will sometimes remain at the extremity of the 
body, and harden, being unable to cast it off they will soon 
die. During these molts they should not be disturbed by 
cleaning or changing the trays. Sudden draughts of air 
should be avoided. Very little food is required, some 
writers say that they will do very well for a day or two 
without any, until all in the same tray have passed through 
this sickness. This explains the importance of having all 
in a tray of an age, so that they will molt at the same 
time. 

Separating or Thinning Out. 

]S the worms increase in size they will gradually 
require more room, being at the last age, twenty 
times as large as at first. They must always have 
W§®& plenty of room to feed, without crowding each other. 
When separating them, place a tray strewn with fresh leaves 
over the worms ; as soon as enough have crawled through to 
properly fill the tray, remove it, and replace by another to 
receive the rest of the worms. Sick or diseased worms may 
easily be detected at this time, they should be instantly 
removed and thrown away, also any which have died. 





Diseases. 

|ILK WORMS are subject to various diseases; the most 
common of these, in this climate, being a kind of 
jaundice. The worm becomes discolored, assuming a 
greenish hue, which turns finally to a bright yellow. 
Dark spots appear about the head, the body is swollen and 
exudes a yellow fluid. There is no cure known for this or 
any of the diseases to which the worms are subject; but 
cleanliness, pure air, and the immediate removal of the 
diseased worms, will prevent its spreading. It is advisable 
to wash the shelves and trays with very dilute carbolic acid 
or any other disinfectant. Too great heat with damp or 
foul air, over-crowding, and unwholesome food, are the chief 
causes of disease. 




SPINNING THE COCOON* 11 

Spinning the Cocoon. 

JGHT or ten days after the last molt, the worm pre- 
pares to spin its cocoon. It changes from white, to a 
cream or amber color, is almost transparent and 
]£P shrinks in size, the head becoming much smaller. It 
moves uneasily about, eats but little, and evacuates more freely* 
It now begins to throw out silken threads. When these 
indications are noticed such worms should be moved to a 
separate tray, and conveniences arranged for spinning. Some 
will spin in the corners of the trays, or in small pieces of 
paper twisted into cones. Others will want to ascend, For 
these, branches may be set up on the outside of the trays, 
interlacing at the top, and mosquito netting laid loosely 
over. The worms will find their way into this and spin 
in the folds. When there is a sufficiency of trays, two of 
these, with spaces between large enough to accommodate 
the worms, may be set up endwise near them. They will 
soon find them, climb up between, and form cocoons. Any 
other device which may suggest itself to the raiser can be 
adopted. 

The worms will soon begin to weave silk threads back 
and forth, making an enclosure in which is made the cocoon 
proper. The silk flows more freely in a warm atmosphere: 
It takes from three to four days to form the cocoon, and 
three more are required for the worm to pass into the chrys- 
alis state. The cocoon should not be removed short of eight 
days for reeling or stifling, while if required for eggs it 
must remain ten or twelve days after the worm has begun to 
spin. Care must be taken that no two worms form their 
cocoons too close together, making what is called a double 
cocoon, which would render them worthless for reeling, 
although just as good for seed. The cocoon consists of a 
continuous thread, generally about four hundred yards long. 
After commencing to spin, the worms will require no food ; 
but as all will not begin at the same time, those that are 
tardy should, be fed often but in small quantities. The 
temperature of the cocoonery should be kept as even as 
possible, at from seventy-five to eighty degrees. If it falls 
below seventy-five degrees it should be raised by artificial 
heat. If it exceed eighty-five degrees it may be reduced 
by increased ventilation, mopping the floor, or sprinkling 
water around the outside of the cocoon ery. 





12 BOMBYX MORI. 

Gathering the Cocoons. 

IN gathering" the cocoons care must he taken not to 
I stain the clean ones, with the black fluid from worms 
■ I which have died, as there are some of these in almost 
fcJSjjjft every cocoonery. The loose or floss silk should first 
be stripped off and the cocoons separated according to firm- 
ness, color, and weight. Any that are stained, soft, or 
imperfect should be removed, or they will reduce the whole 
to a lower grade. 



Selecting the Seed. 

*jjHE best and firmest should be chosen for seed for the 
coining year, selecting them for the color and fineness 
)f the silk, rather than for the size. If yellow, give 
preference to the straw colored, as these are most 
sought after; if white, take the purest white. It is Ave 11 for 
silk raisers to raise their own seed, as that brought from 
large establishments is not always to be relied upon. Two 
hundred and fifty cocoons, half male and half female, will 
produce an ounce of eggs, estimated to number from thirty- 
six to forty thousand, each female laying from three to four 
hundred eggs. In selecting them, the male cocoon may be 
known by its being slightly constricted about the center. Its 
extremities are also more pointed than those of the female r 
which is somewhat egg shaped, ^without any constriction. 
In order to better ascertain the sex, some weigh them, the 
female always being the heavier. An equal number of 
each should be taken. These cocoons for breeding, may 
then be pasted upon cardboard on their side, to enable the 
moths to escape more readily ; or merely laid upon paper in 
the trays, or on the shelves. They must be protected from 
rats and mice, which are the enemies of the silkworm in all 
its stages. 

Preparing the Cocoons for Reeling or Sale. 

f^fjf^ order to prepare the cocoon for reeling, the chrysalis 
|| | must be killed ; this must be done in from eight to ten 
|p | davs after the spinning commenced. Steaming is the 
jj$'f best method, as dry heat destroys the color and luster 



PREPARING THE COCOONS FOR REELING. 13 

of the silk. Any vessel or box into which steam may he 
introduced will answer. A good way is to. lay the- cocoons 
three or four inches deep, in a sieve or steamer, and place 
over a pot of boiling water, covering so as to retain the steam. 
They must remain from fifteen to twenty minutes. After 
this the cocoons must be spread upon boards or shelves to 
dry thoroughly, or the dead insect might corrupt and stain 
the silk. Stir often for the first two or three days, and 
afterward occasionally for five or six weeks, when they will 
be perfectly dry, and ready for reeling or shipping ; they 
may be packed in barrels or boxes, in order to preserve 
them from insects, sprinkle a little powdered camphor gum, 
or any other insectifuge through them. Reeling establish- 
ments have improved facilities for stifling, and if the cocoons 
can be sent to one of these as soon as gathered, much labor 
is saved. The cocoons, when dried, will be reduced to one- 
third of their original weight. 



Reproduction. 

f&|^|ROM twelve to twenty days after the worms commenc- 
- ed to spin, the moths will emerge. They are provided 
with a secretion with which to moisten the end of the 
cocoon, enabling them to make their escape ; in 
doing this they push aside the threads, but so many are broken 
that it renders the cocoon unfit for reeling. These are known 
as pierced cocoons. The moths come out early in the morn- 
ing, and are moist at first, but soon become dry. The male 
is known by the continual flutter of the wings, and smaller 
size. The female moves but little, her body being heavy 
with eggs. They discharge a reddish fluid as soon as they 
leave the cocoon, after which they will soon mate, when they 
must be removed, taking them by the wings and placing on 
white paper, in a dark room, care being taken not to injure 
or separate them. As the others mate they should be placed 
with those already paired. Sometimes a male becomes 
separated from his companion, when he should be replaced 
or he may cause disturbance and other separations. If there 
is a surplus of males, they should be reserved for next day, 
as there may then be more females. There are differences 
of opinion as to the length of time required for the perfect 
impregnation of the eggs, but it is safe to let them remain 




# BOMBYX MORI. 

together twenty-four hours, when they should be separated 
by taking the wings of the female in one hand, and gently 
pressing the body of the male with the other, and drawing 
them apart. After this the males may be cast aside. As 
soon as separated the female will discharge a reddish or 
yellow fluid, they should then be placed upon trays covered 
with pieces of white cotton cloth on which they are to lay 
their eggs. They will commence laying soon after being 
separated, and in twenty-four hours all the impregnated eggs 
will have been deposited. A natural gum exudes with the 
egg, which fastens it to the cloth and enables the young 
worm to eat its way out more readily. The moth being a 
nocturnal insect should be kept in a dark room, and given 
plenty of air. Having no jaws the moths never eat but will 
live a number of days. 



Care of the Eggs. 



m 



HEN first deposited the eggs are yellow. If impreg- 
nated they soon change to various hues, and finally 
become and remain a dark gray. The cloths on 
W^W* J which the eggs are laid should remain from twelve 
to twenty days, during which time the bivoltins will hatch 
out, as there are always some of these in every lot of eggs. 
These worms if not fed will soon die, but if fed will produce 
another crop. They require the same treatment as the annuals. 
The remaining eggs will all be annuals, and must be pre- 
served for next year's crop. Roll these cloths carefully 
together and place in tin boxes ; two or more sides must be 
perforated to admit air, and the holes protected by fine wire 
netting. If kept in close boxes the eggs would spoil. 
They must be kept in a cool room or dry cellar, and examin- 
ed occasionally to see that the eggs do not become mildewed. 
The temperature should never be allowed to rise above forty 
degrees, but may be allowed to sink to freezing point with- 
out injury. Great care must be taken as the weather grows 
warm, to prevent hatching before the leaves appear. 




WEIGHING THE EGGS. 



IS 



Weighing the Eggs. 

*mj|F intended for sale, the pieces of cloth on which the 

Sir 1 e £S s are t° ^ e -^ a ^ should be accurately weighed in 

Troy grains. After the eggs are laid, the cloths should 

be again weighed. The difference between the two 

weights is the weight of the eggs. Both weights should be 

distinctly marked for the inspection of the purchaser. 

,». + .» _ 

Varieties of the Silkworm. 

iHE silkworm proper, which produces the silk of com- 
|JM P| merce, belongs to the family Bombycidse or spinners. 
M^l Domestication has had much to do with producing the 

fj»r different varieties. Any one of these, transferred to 
a different climate, changes its character and silk product 
accordingly. Some varieties produce but one brood a year. 
These are called Annuals. Bivoltins produce two, the Trivol- 
tins three, and the Quadrivoltins four crops in a year. The 
Dacey, a variety known in India, produces eight generations 
in one year. Experiments, taking into consideration the 
size of the cocoon, quality of silk, time occupied, hardiness, 
and quantity of leaves required, have proved the Annuals 
to be the most profitable, although Bivoltins are often reared. 
The varieties of the Annuals of the color of the cocoons, 
and the country in which they are most cultivated. 

The best known European varieties are, the Milanese, 
(Italian) which produces a fine yellow cocoon ; the 
Ardeche, Pyrenean, and Cevennes, (French) which produce 
the large yellow and straw colored cocoons, and are con- 
sidered the hardiest and best adapted to the eastern, middle, 
and western states. The Brousse (Turkish) which produces 
a white cocoon. The latter variety is the most valuable in 
commerce ; but the races which produce the colored cocoons, 
are considered the most healthy. 




OSAGE SILK WORM-COCOON.-<After Riley.) 



16 BOMBYX MORI. 

Letter from a Prominent Silk Grower. 

Williamsburg, Kansas, ) 
July 27, 1882. \ 

Miss M. M. Davidson, 

Junction City, Kansas : 

Your favor of 22nd inst., came duly, and I am pleased to know 
you succeeded so well with your silkworms. The rearing of silk- 
worms is a very simple business, requiring but little capital and such 
care as can be given to it in most families without seriously interfer- 
ing with domestic labors. 

The only open question with us is market for cocoons; and this, 
in my judgment, depends upon the successful establishment of 
rilatures. Hand reeling is a slow, tedious process, and compared 
with the work done in well organized reeling establishments and by 
trained experts, it is costly in several ways: first, because the hand 
reel requires the labor of two persons to operate it — one to turn the 
reel and one to attend to the cocoons — whereas one girl can attend 
several reels driven by power; second, silk reeling is a very delicate 
operation ; the fiber is fine and unless the reeler. is thoroughly skill- 
ful, she will waste more than the value of her wages. Hand reeling 
in the family will be rather an incident than a permanent occupation. 
At home niuch unskilful work will be done and much waste silk 
made ; whereas in the organized filature, the labor is continuous and 
the reeler becomes expert, or loses her place. 

Another advantage of moment is that in the filature, the cocoons 
can be graded, as cotton must be graded, with reference to its fitness 
for particular uses. In the family which produces one hundred to 
three hundred pounds of cocoons, grading is impracticable. A 
further important advantage the organized establishment has is that 
the manufacturers can there find a uniform product in quantities to 
suit ; while in family reeling the quantity would be small, a few 
pounds, at most, in one place, and the product variable, some of it 
well reeled, somcjof it'badly reeled — that is the thread will be uneven 
from lack of skill in adding new fiber as the old runs off, or from a 
difference in the number of fibers to the thread. Silk thus produced 
and collected would be less valuable to the manufacturer. 

There is a broad belt across our continent well adapted to silk 
production and the interest in the business is increasing at such rate 
that attention has within the last two years been given to reeling as 
an organized industry. Edward Serrell, Jr., hasinvented an auto- 
matic stop motion reel, and several parties in this country propose 
to establish filatures. Among them the Mississippi Silk Company, 
at Corinth, Mississippi, L. S. Crozier, manager, they will test the 
Serrell reel. If successiul, silk may become a staple product in 
America. 

i Cocoons at fifty cents per pound, green, or one dollar and fifty 
cents per pound, dry, will pay very well, more especially as the in- 
come to the family will be almost "a gratuity-— an addition with but 



LETTER FROM A PROMINENT SILK GROWER. 17 

little outlay. For some statistics of cost and prices of silk, see 
article In Scientific American of June 10, 1882, by the American 
Consul at Lyons, France, F. C. Peixotto. 

Respectfully yours, 

Chas. Sears. 
P. S.— In the absence of M. de Boissiere I reply to your letter. 

C.S. 



Extract from letter of F. C. Peixotto, American Consul at 
Lyons, France, to the Scientific American: 

"The following figures concerning silk reeling may be relied 
upon as accurate, and I trust will be found of service in showing 
with some degree of clearness what are the facts in the case, 
At present quotations [June, 1882] a pound of yellow French 
cocoons — dry — is worth $1.20 in the markets of Marseilles and 
Milan. To produce a pound of raw silk requires on an average 
three and six-tenths pounds of such cocoons, thus making 
the cost of the raw material for a pound of silk $4.32. There is 
also produced in reeling a by-product called "frision" coming 
from the silk upon the cocoons, which is not transformed into 
thread. This is worth about seventy cents for each pound of 
silk produced. Deducting this amount from the total cost of 
cocoons, there remains §3.62 as the cost of the silk in the cocoons, 
which is to be transformed into a pound of raw silk. The value 
of the pound of raw silk when produced, depends very largely 
upon the skill of the reeler, and the more or less favorable cir- 
cumstances under which the reeling is performed. Badly reeled 
silk produced from good cocoons is worth at present a little less 
than $3.40 a pound, somewhat less, in fact, than the market 
price of the cocoons necessary to produce it. [This silk is prob- 
ably quite as well reeled as it would be if produced by American 
women working in an irregular way in their own houses.] ^ On 
the contrary, silk produced by the best filatures and exception- 
ally well reeled, sells on an average of present prices, at six 
dollars a pound. In point of fact it has become impossible for 
women to gain anything by reeling at home." 



Facts and Figures. 

Estimates made by Prof. Riley, in Special Report No. 11. 
Profits made by producing cocoons : 

" xiverage number of eggs per ounce 40,000. Average number 
of fresh cocoons per pound, 300. Average reduction in weight 
for choked [or stifled] cocoons sixty-six per cent. Maximum 
amount of fresh cocoons from one ounce of eggs one hundred 
and thirty to one hundred and forty pounds. Allowing for 
deaths in rearing— twenty-six per cent, being a large estimate — 
we thus get as the product of an ounce of eggs, one hundred 



IS 



BOMBYX MORI. 



pounds of fresh, or thirty-three pounds of choked cocoons. 
Two adults can take charge of the issue of from three to five, 
say four ounces of eggs, which will produce four hundred pounds 
of fresh or one hundred and thirty-three pounds of choked 
cocoons." 

"Calculating on the basis of $J .25 per pound for choked cocoons, 
gives $166.25 for the one hundred and thirty-three pounds. 
After deducting expenses, a very fair profit will be realized. 
There are several filatures in the United States where cocoons 
are purchased, and others are being erected." 

ESTIMATE OF PKOFITS MADE BY RAISING EGGS. 

"Average number of eggs in an ounce, forty thousand. Maxi- 
mum number of cocoons from an ounce of eggs, forty thousand. 
One-half of these, or twenty thousand, are females. Number 
of eggs laid by each female, Pay three hundred. Quantity of 
eggs from one ounce, six million, or .one hundred and fifty 
ounces. Deducting as probable loss from all causes combined, 
one-half, we have seventy-five ounces. Price of eggs in Europe 
two to five dollars, say three dollars an ounce. Amount realized 
on one ounce $225.00*." 

An extra month will be required for the production of eggs^ 
The pierced cocoons that have been used for breeding purposes 
have also a certain market value, they are sold with the floss silk 
and are carded and spun like cotton, they sell at from fifty to 
seventy-cents per pound, according to quality. The given 
estimates are all low ; no fixed rates can be given, as the prices 
of silk products vary. 

Silkworm eggs will be supplied during the winter, not later 
than the first of April. It is better that the eggs be wintered 
where they are to be raised. The best races only will be sup- 
plied at the lowest market rates. Prices sent on application. 
Any desired information willingly given. Always enclose 
stamp for return postage. Address, 

M. M. DAVIDSON, 

Junction City, 
Kansas, 




PACIFIC HOUSE, 

B. 6EMENT, Proprietor. 

Washington St., : Junction City, Kan 
; #^ PER J3A.Y, 

Free 'Bus to and from all trains. 



A. C. PIERCE, 

LAND, LOAN, ABSTRACT 



■AND 



INSUKANCE OFFICE. 

Twenty-six years Experience in 

Surveying and Selling Land 

in Central Kansas- 

Cor. 7th and Washington Sts„ 



Junction City, 



Kan. 



CHURCH & HURLEY, 

SadfllessHarness 

Seventh Street, 
Junction City, - - Kansas, 



Will keep in stock a general as- 
sortment of goods in their line, 
Prices as low as the lowest. Stock 
and work guaranteed to be 



FIRST-CLASS. 

Reparing Promptly Attended to 

Give as a Call. 



REAL ESTATE A.GENOY 



-OF- 



H. H. ME AD 



Office in the Court House, 



Junction City, Kansas, 



Pays Taxes, Takes charge of Properties, Collect Rents. 
All business promptly attended to. Corres- 
pondence solicited. 



The Kansas Farmer 



An eight page weekly journal, published by Kansas Farmer Co., at 
Topeka, Kansas, and is devoted to the interests of the Farm, Home and* 
ihe People. A paper for Stockmen and Breeders, as well as for the 
gardeners and Fruit Growers. 

It is the State Agricultural Paper, aud circulates more extensively 
than any paper in the State, and is by law, the omcial paper for pub- 
lishing notices of all the strays in the state above the value of $10. A 
copy is tiled in every County Clerk's office for the benefit of persons- 
interested in strays. 

The Kansas Farmer has correspondents in every county in Kansas,- 
whose letters are published every week, showing the actual condition 
of the crops, live stock. orchards, gardening, and agricultural, mechani- 
cal and horticultural experiments. 



FULL MARKET REPORTS 

T Are given in every number. Political and general news are carefully 
condensed and the pith of all public movements in every part of the 
world is presented in a concise form. 



A SPECIAL DEPARTMENT 

Is set apart for family reading, consisting of current literature^ 
Choice selections to instruct, interest and amuse. Fiction of a pure 
#nd elevating order only inserted in its columns. All agricultural and, 
«tock conventions and fairs of general importance are reported by a 
special correspondent. 



A VALUABLE FEATURE 

Is furnished by able writers for The Farmer, on stock, poultry, 
gardening, etc., by the best known and most successful in their lines 
4>f business. 

The Kansas Farmer, with twenty years experience, is reliable, 
chaste, newsy and instructive. A newspaper carefully edited on all 
general subjects of importance to the people. Questions touching 
upon the rights of corporations and monopolies are discussed candidly 
^nd fearlessly. The Farmer's platform is 

JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS 

Amongmen. This large eight-page paper costs for single subscriptions, 
4>ne year, $1.50; single subscription, six months, $1.00; ten subscrip- 
tions, one year, $10.00, and one copy free to the person getting up the 
Club. Cash in advance invariably required. Sample copies free. 

KA.NSJLS FARMER CO., 



THE MODEL HOTEL OF KANSAS 

Bartell 
H 




$2.00 per Day. 

Geo, W.Keynolds 
Proprietor. 



Large and Commodious Sample Rooms on first floor. Hot 

and Cold Baths. A First-Class Laundry run 

in connection with the hotel. 



Washington St., 



Junction City, Kan. 



66 



99 



Steam 



ounng ivniis 




? 



R. M. & C. H. MILLER, Proprietors. 

Cor. JSixth and Franklin, : : Junction City, Kan. 



Flour ant All Kinds of Feed, 

Constantly on Hand. 



A.D.SCHACH, 



DEALER IN 



CyROCERIES* 

QUEENSWARE, 
GLASSWARE, 
STONEWARE, 

WOODENWARE. 

Choice Fruits, Confections, Nuts, Etc. 

Lamps, Lanterns and Lamp Trimmings. 

THE BEST AND MOST COMPLETE STOt 1 K IS THE ST A TE 

A.D.SCHACH, 

Washington Street, — — Junction City, Kansas. 



GEO. J. GRAVES, 

CamapaniWapaMaler, 

General Blacksmithing, 
Horse Shoeing a Specialty, 
Carriage Painting 
And Trimming. 
Free Wagon Yards 
And Water. 

Any description of Wagon 

or Carriage made to order 

at lowest living prices. 

Satisfaction. Guaranteed. 
Shop on 8th St., near Washington. 

Junction City, - Kansas. 



RICHARD BROWN, 




Dealer in 



< 




Saddlery Hardware, 
Leather, 

Shoe Findings, Etc. 

Junction City, : : Kansas. 



C. F. Z I EGLER, 



Wholesale and Retail 



HARDWARE. 



Acorn Stoves, 
Agricultural Implements, 

Champion Machines, 
Stiidebaker Wagons, 
Spring Wagons & Buggies 

The Best Ms and the Larpt Stock in Kansas. 

Junction City. Kansas. 



A. VOGLER. 



Dealer in 



Fine Watches, 
Jewelry, 

Silverware, Etc. 

Agent for Wendell Spectacles 

EAST SEVENTH ST. 

Junction City, - - Kans as . 



J. MONROE SMITH'S 



BANK 



Hart ell House Block, 



Junction City, 



Kansas. 



General Banking Business 

Transacted. Drafts on 

Eastern Cities and 

and all points 

in Europe bought and sold, 



GRAND COMBINATION 

OF 

Music, Insurance & Money to Loan. 

Pianos and Organs at Wholesale and Eetail. 

SPECIALTIES I 

DECKER BROS. PIANOS, 

ESTEY, NEW ENGLAND, 

AND STERLING ORGANS, 
FROM $50.00 TO $500.00. 

Life, Fire, LiiMiiiJornaJo ai Winflstorm Insurance, 

In the Best Companies at Lowest Rotes, 

7 PEE CENT. MONEY TO LOAN ON REAL ESTATE. 

The Largest Sewing Machine Emporium in the State. All our Goods 
Warranted for FIVE years by the undersigned. 

PIERCE & CO. 



7th St., Junction City. Kan. 



MRS, H. MEAD, 

MILLINERY 

AND 

FANCY, GOODS. 



WAVELETS, 
FRIZZES, 

SWITCHES, ETC. 

Notions from best Eastern 
houses weekly. 

AETISTIO DKESSMAKING. 



Done with neatness and care, 
by Mrs. E. L. Carr. 



Washington St., Junction Oity 



BROWNINN & COYLE, 



Agents for 



BELDING'S 

SPOOL SILK, 
SKEIN SILK, 

KNITTING SILK, 
& EMBROIDERY. 

603 Washington Ave., 

St. Louis, — — Mo. 



At the Popular Cash Store, 



You will always find a complete and attractive stock ol 

DRY GOODS & CLOTHING, 

HATS, CAPS, FURNISHING GOODS, 

BOOTS, SHOES, TRUNKS, VALISES, ETC. 

We are constantly in receipt of new and stylish goods, and our popular 

and low prices, and attentive clerks, are well-known, to say 

more than that this will continue to be our aim in the future. 

Our Carpet and Furniture Department 

Oocupies our entire 2nd floor, and contains everything wanted in 

this line. 
OUR OLD STANDS YS WILL BE 

Broadhead's Dress Goods, St. Charles Hosiery and Yarns, 
Dr, Ball's Health Corset, Domestic Paper Patterns, 
Chicago Cnstom Made Clothing, Cottage Furniture, 
Eeynolds Bros. Ladies' and Children's Pine Shoes, 
M.D. Wells & Go's Standard Screw Boots & Shoes. 

YOU C^^JSTOT GrttT BETTER. 
-7th St., Junction City, Kan. M. K. BITTERMAN, 



M. W. KELLER, 

Dealer in 

GROCERIES, 

QUEENSWARE, 

Teas and Coffees, 

SPICES, ETC. 
Junction City, — Kansas. 



c. H. WARD, 

practical 
DruggisT 

Washington Street, 
Junction City. -* Kansas. 



J. ( \ Scott. 



C. G. Thurston. 



SCOTT & THURSTON, 



DEALERS IN 



Agricultural Implements, 

Hardware and. Live Stock, 
Coal, Lime, Brick, Cement, 

Plastering Hair, 
Plaster Paris, Etc. 



Seventh Street. — 



Junction City, Kansas. 



T. B. MDBFH7. 



A 
R 
C 
H 

archJtect 

T 

E 

c 

T 

— 8th Street, 

Junction Oity, - - Kansas. 



E. F. WHITE, 



Dealer in 



LUMBER, 
LATH, 

SHINGLES, 

Yellow Pine a Specialty. 



Office and Yard on Jefferson 

Street, opposite City 

Hall, 

Junction City, : : Kan. 



J. J. Blattnek. 



Established 1866. 



\V. S. Blakely. 



BLATTNER & BLAKELY, 



-DEALERS IN 



HARDWARE and STOVES, 

Tinware, Wagons, Agricultural Implements, Etc. 

AGENTS FOR THE 

BAIN WAGON, WOOD'S TWINE BINDER, 

WOOD'S MOWER, BUCKEYE MOWER, 
BUCKEYE TABLE RAKE. 

A Full Line of 

Plain Sprii Waps, Bugps anfl Carriages. 



June t'on *'i!y a Itansas. 



M. GREENEBAUM & CO., 

Dealers in 

DRY GOODS, 

NOTIONS, 
CLOTHING. 
HATS, OAFS, 
TRUNKS. 
VALISES, 
GENTS' FURNISHING 
GOODS, ETC. 

GROSS' BLOCK, 

WMhlngten St., — Jnetion CttT, Sw. 



C. H. TROTT & BRO., 

Dealers in 

FINE WRITING PAPERS, 

GOLD PENS, 
POCKET BOOKS, 

WORK BOXES, 

Together with a 

Complete Assortment 

Of Everything in the Line 
of 

Stationery & Books. 

794 & 796 Washington St., 
Junction City, - Kansas. 



N. F. GREENE. 



A. H. BARTELL. 



Greene & Bartell, 



-SOLE AGENTS- 



Union Pacific R'y Lands, 



-AND THE- 



National Land Company's Lands. 



Special Attention given to Payment of Taxes for N071- Residents. We will 

Buy or Sell, rent or exchange property, Draw up Deeds, Mortgages, 

Etc., and attend to Real Estate Business of all kinds. 

REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE & COLLECTION AGT'S. 



Correspondence Solicited, and Promptly Answered. 
Tfcookwells' Block, - Junction City, Kan. 



MACKEY & MATO, 


MISS McMURRAY, 


Retail Dealers in 


[Dressmaker 


STAPLE and FANCY 


AND 

Milliner. 


GROCERI ES, 

QUEENSWARE, 
GLASSWARE, 
WOODENWARE, 
PIPES, TOBBACO 
AND CIGARS. 
POCKET AND 


A Large assortment of Milli- 
nery and Fancy Goods 
selected from the 
best Eastern 
houses, 
CONSTANTLY ON HAND. 

Orders executed with care and 
neatness. 


TABLE CUTLERY, 


Seventh St., Three doors West from 
Washington St., 


Fish, Meats, Coal Oil and Salt. 




Junction City, Kan. 


Junction City, — Kansas* 



Eaise Hedge Plants while the Herd Law is in Force, 




HP HH 
a lib IT* 



c 






C 



OSAGE ORANGE HEDGE PLANTS 



"POR SALE DURING FALL OF 1882, and 
Spring of 1883, at wholesale and retail in quan- 
tities to suit purchasers as long as plants are not all 
sold. I have this year succeeded in raising only 
thirteen acres out of twenty-nine and one- half planted, 
consequently will have only a limited supply and 
only a little more than enough for my home trade. 
Hence to secure the plants, those wishing them should 
give their orders early. 

My Plants are grown on rich bottom land, are 
only a moderate stand, and have made a large 
growth with but few No, 2 plants among them, and 
those only who give their orders early can procure 
that grade. 

Printed instructions for planting and cultivat- 
ing the 







Sent to any address on application. 

Orders can be sent by mail or secured at my resi- 
dence at any time be/ore the supply is exhausted. 

CALL AND EXAMINE MY PLANTS 
WHILE AND WHERE THEY ARE GROWING. 

M. F. Mickey, 

CORNER WASHINGTON AND EIGHTEENTH STREETS, 

Juncftion City, Kansas. 



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I Prices on Application, According to Quality and Quantity, 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




MANUFACTURED AT JUNCTION CITY. KANSAS. 



cci 



PQ 



OC2 




S25 



Who is now prepared to fill orders from dealers everywhere, on 
short notice. 

Q@f"-This yeast is free from all impurities, is made from Pure 
Materials and is Guaranteed to give Universal Satisfaction if given a 
fair trial. Put up in large packages and more for the money than 
any other yeast manufactured. Price, Ten Cents per Package. 

Ask your grocer for it, and if he does not carry it in stock, tell 
him to send for atrial order to MRS. B. HESS, Junction City Kansas. 

B. Rockwell & Co. 




§ 




Immense New Stock of 



DRESS GOODS, 

FLANNELS, 
HOSIERY, 

UNDERWEAR, 

Largest Stock ! Lowest Prices ! Call 
and Examine. 

B. ROCKWELL & CO. 



